Apparatus for lowering coffins



(No Model.)

A. B. MORRISON.

Y APPARATUS FOR LOWBRING GOPFINS. No. 285,149. Patented Sept. 18, 1888.

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UNITED STATES PATENT. i OFFICE.

ANDREW RROWN MORRISON, OE LITOHEIELD, ILLINOIs.

APPARATUS FOR LOWERING ,COFF|NS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,149, dated September 18, 1883.

Application filed August 14,1883. (No model.)

.To @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ANDREW B. MoRRIsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Litchfield, in the county of `Montgomery and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Lowering Cofins, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in burial apparatus, and it consists in arranging a series of hooks, tackle, ropes, frame, and lever whereby a coffin may be lowered into the grove by a single operator.

The object of my invention is to lower a coffin into, or raise the same out of, an excavation formed inthe earth by mechanical appliances manipulated by a 'single operator. I attain this object by means of the peculiar construction and arrangement of the various parts of my improved mechanism, which will be more fully pointed out and described in the specification and claims, reference being had to the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part of the same, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my invention, showing the device in place above the grave and coffin-box attached to lifting-rods Fig. 2 isa vertical sectional view of the same.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a frame formed of wood or metal, (preferably of metah) said frame being formed of two bows or half-hoops, the center of the bows being drawn together at the top D and projecting outward in curved form from said center D, making four leg's, a, said -legs terminating in four sharp projecting points, a', said points adapted to pierce the ground to hold` the frame steady and prevent anyshifting or slid- IA short distance downward from point D,

on one side, a pin or cross-bar, c, is.secured by its ends to legs a, the ends of said crossbar preferably entering perforations in said legs, holding the same apart and in position,

and forming a bearing-space betweenf said legs. A double hook, f, one end of which is bent to fit over the cross -bar e, the opposite ends bent to the form of eyes, through which a projecting pin, f passes. Said pin is formed in the lever B a short distance from its inner end. The top of lever Bhas secured vin its upper edge eyebolts LZ, adapted to receive lifting-rope d. The outer end of lever B is curved backward to form an eye or ring,

y', into which is secured a loose loop footare secured at one end to rinO b2 and their opposite ends are provided with hooks or lateral projections adapted to engage with eye-plates b', secured to the box G, as shown.

One end of rope d is secured to the upper end of tackle-block c?. Said rope passes over sheave or tackle block c, under block c?. upward and over a pulley, c, secured on the side of lever B near its inner end, thence through eyebolts d to the outer end of lever B, where it can be readily grasped by the operator.

The operation' is as follows: Box C is placed in position above the grave and under the center of the frame A. Hooks or rods b are atf tached to ring-plates b. The operator standing at the outer end of lever B draws the rope d tightly, then placing his foot in loop g, pressing downward, the inner end of lever B rises, lifting the box, when, the operator releasingthe rope di', the box is lowered into the excavation, irons b unhooked or released from plates b, the tackle hoisted, and the frame removed. Thus a coffin is lowered into the grave by a single operator without risk or delay and with ease, 4thereby dispensing with 'the four attendants usual in such cases.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim, and desire to secure b v Letters Patent,

l. A deviceV for lowering coffms into a grave, consisting of a metal frame having foot-projections, a lever fulcruined within said frame and near the top ofthe same, saidlever having a foot-rope at its outer end, aliftingrope, pulley, tackle-blocks, and connecting ICO In testimony whereof I afxmysignature in Io presencel of two Witnesses.

rods, tlie Whole adapted to be placed over an 'open grave2 substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the frame A, having four feet, a, the cross-bars a', and the cross-pin e, with the level` B, lrojeetonf, hook f, pulley c3, eyebolt c, tackle c and c2, ring b2, connect g Vtnesses: ing-rods b, box C, rope d', and the foot-rope. S. M. GRUBBS, g, all arranged and operated substantially as GEO. D. FINN. shown and speeied.

ANDREW BROWN MORRISON. 

